Lift in block of flats in Gowkthrapple is a total letdown

Many residents suffer from serious health problems and are not fit enough to take the stairs (Image: Wishaw Press)

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Fed-up residents of a tower block in Gowkthrapple have hit out at ongoing repair issues with the lift – claiming they’re like “prisoners in their own homes”.

The temperamental elevator in Birkshaw Tower broke down three times last week. Now frustrated tenants – many of whom suffer serious health problems – are urging North Lanarkshire Council to replace the rundown lift immediately.

Neil Cuthertson, 62, who suffers from diabetes and a serious heart condition, told the Wishaw Press the lift broke down on the afternoon of Monday, January 27, and wasn’t repaired until three days later. He fumed: “The lift stopped working twice over the weekend and then started working again – but it completely stopped on Monday evening.

“We were left without a lift for almost three days. I would say it has been out of action at least 10 times in the last six months. It’s a complete joke.”

Neil added: “I use a mobility scooter and I’m unable to carry it up and down the stairs. When the lift is out of use I can’t go anywhere. I feel like a prisoner in my own home.”

Tenants say the 12-storey tower block houses a number of disabled and elderly people and when the lift breaks down many, like Neil, are unable leave their home as they are not fit enough to use the stairs.

Wheelchair-bound William Mooney, 56, recently had a stroke and is unable to walk on his own. He was housebound for two days last week while waiting for the lift to be repaired. William explained: “It was impossible for me to leave the flat as I couldn’t get my wheelchair up and down the stairs.

“If this keeps happening I am going to miss important doctor’s appointments. I don’t want to be stuck inside all the time. It’s a joke we even have to worry about whether or not we will be able to leave the tower.”

There are two lifts in Birkshaw Tower, one stopping on the even numbered floors and the other on the odd numbered. Fifty-four-year-old Isabel Russell, who has lived on the fifth floor for more than 20 years, suffers from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary disease (COPD). She said walking up and down the stairs makes her condition worse.

Isabel added: “I’m not fit enough to climb the stairs. I wish I was. I feel reluctant to go out because I worry that when I come back the lift might be out of order again. We need a new lift put in sooner rather than later. It’s not fair on any of us.”

Des Murray, property services manager with the local authority, said: “Any fault with a lift in our towers is treated as a priority and an engineer was called to inspect the lift at Birkshaw Tower as soon as we became aware of the problem. There was a slight delay in getting the replacement parts but the work has now been completed and the lift was fully operational on Thursday.”

And Mr Murray added: “As part of the council’s ongoing investment programme, this lift is due to be replaced later this year.”